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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Research: Period Costume Links

Words, Words, Words

Sometimes I run out of words. Yes, I know... how horrible! For a word-smith like myself, some might not believe it possible.
But there are times when I know exactly what I want to say... but haven't a clue how to say it. The Word escapes me... sometimes because I simply don't know it.
Especially when writing about period things.
What do you call that thing that the chatelaine keeps at her waist with her keys on it? Not a "key chain" surely. That's way too modern.

All Those Beautiful Nouns

Well, fortunately there are a lot of folks out there using all sorts of old fashioned words, and in conjunction with the old fashioned things they go with. So if you're stuck on how to describe your heroine's outfit, take a look at some of these links.

Good, Quick, Cheap This has a lot of really interesting details for anyone researching period clothing (or making their own.) Bustles, corded petticoats, there are great detailed photos and construction quips. And what does a "bodkin" do? Well, read this!

Check out the work of costumer Sarah at Sarah Beata's Gallery. Pretty impressive! Sarah also does some theater costuming; which I imagine is a really fun, if quite challenging, task.

If anybody is in need of some clues on how to clothe their 30's/40's/50's heroines, they can just take a stroll through We Sew Retro and come away with all sorts of sweet ideas. These are real people sewing real vintage patterns, (though they are sometimes "inspired by", too.)

And that "key keeping thing"? Turns out its called a chatelaine.
Who knew?